Attend Roof of the World Regatta, Lake Karakul, Tajikistan

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Lake Karakul is home to the aptly named annual Roof of the World Regatta, which brings enthusiasts from around the world bring along any small craft and take part in this sailing and community event held in September every year. Kite-surfing, sailing, rowing, kayaking craft are all welcome, becoming part of a world altitude record for your sport. Warnings: Lake Karakul is almost 4000m altitude. Please allow sufficient time to acclimatize at lower altitudes before arriving at the lake. Karakul village is remote and undeveloped and provides a home for approximately 1000 local herders and their families. Please expect only the most basic of facilities and services. The seasons in the Eastern Pamir are notoriously fickle. Temperatures can range from +30C to -10C in the summer months and snow could appear at any time. Reasonable wind conditions in September can be expected but storms can also occur quickly and without notice. The promoters of this event accept no responsibility for the safety of participants or anyone else subsequently following them to sail on the lake. We recommend the attendance of a rescue boat for any sailing on the lake. Approaches (Tajik visa and GBAP permits required for either route): From Dushanbe - approximately 1000Km journey on dirt roads through high mountain passes and steep sided valleys. Dushanbe to Khorog takes approximately 2 days and at that point you should acclimatize before travelling for a further day to Murghab. Karakul is then a 0.5 day journey, negotiating the Ak-Baitel pass at 4650m. From Osh, Kyrgyzstan the route is only approximately 500Km. The road from Osh to Sary Tash is good and only takes ~4 hours. In the vicinity of Sary Tash you should acclimatize for ~2 days before stepping up onto the Eastern Pamir plateau on dirt tracks, arriving at the Tajik border on Kizil-Art pass (4350m). Karakul village is then 1.5 hours away. Note: please do take our advice and acclimatize before entering Tajikistan - if you have to go back down to Kyrgyzstan then there is no return without another visa and permit.

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